The Flourishing Era of Female Merchants

"That's enough. With Yan'er by my side, that's enough!" Empress Feng sighed. "In the end, the third son's wife is more precious."

Sima Yan didn't like hearing this and snorted coldly, "So precious? I hope she and the child in her belly are both alright!"

Even so, Sima Yan wished that something bad would happen to An Mi.

Empress Feng observed Sima Yan's reaction, her eyes flickered slightly, but she said nothing. However, her deep eyes became even more reserved. How could she control An Mi?

She knew perfectly well that controlling Anmi was the key to restraining Bai Yi!

However, An Mi is too cunning; I'm afraid we can't deal with her using ordinary methods!

Inside Emperor Mingde's tent, the imperial physicians were still racking their brains, but no good news came. Empress Feng's tent was also calm, but outside the entire hunting grounds, an eerie atmosphere was shrouded in darkness. The sun was setting and the sky was gradually darkening.

Beneath a large tree, a figure in green stood with his hands behind his back, his reserved eyes surveying the tents, and no one could guess what he was thinking.

"Your Highness, I have carried out the arrangements as you instructed," a guard stepped forward and said respectfully.

The voice seemed to pull Qinglan out of her reverie. She glanced at the reporting guard, a glint of shrewdness flashing in her eyes. "Good. Is there any news from the Emperor?"

"Not yet. The imperial physicians are still treating the Emperor, who remains in a coma."

"Where are the Empress and the Second Prince?"

"The Empress is in the camp, with the First Prince's wife accompanying her, while the Second Prince guards the Emperor's camp."

"Where is the Princess Consort of Bohai?"

The guard was slightly taken aback, but then continued, "Her Majesty the Empress originally intended for the Princess Consort of Bohai and the Crown Prince's wife to accompany her, but the Princess Consort of Bohai suddenly felt unwell and returned to the King of Bohai's tent."

Have they returned to their camp?

For a fleeting moment, I felt a sense of relief.

"Go down! Keep a close eye on any movements over there, and report immediately if anything happens," Qinglan said coldly. The situation had reached a point of extreme tension, and he could not afford to be careless in the slightest.

"Yes." The guard accepted the order and left, leaving Qinglan alone once again, looking at the sky as if a storm was approaching.

That night, the atmosphere in the hunting grounds grew increasingly tense. Several hours had passed, and the emperor remained unconscious. Although the imperial physicians had removed the arrow, they were still unable to determine the reason why the emperor was not waking up.

Inside the tent, not only the imperial physicians but also the Second Prince looked solemn.

"How is my father? When will he wake up?" The second prince looked at Emperor Mingde on the bed, unable to contain his impatience. What he wanted to know more was whether the emperor could wake up again!

If he doesn't wake up, then he can't just wait like this!

"Second Prince, we don't know why either. The arrow has been pulled out and the bleeding has stopped. Although the arrow almost pierced the heart, it was slightly off-center and didn't hit a vital spot. We've given the Emperor medicine, and he should have woken up by now, but for some reason..." The imperial physician shook his head, also at his wit's end.

"What if he doesn't wake up again?" the Second Prince continued to press.

The imperial physicians were all taken aback, exchanged glances, but dared not say anything.

The second prince's eyes narrowed, and he raised his voice, "I'm asking you a question: what will happen if Father doesn't wake up soon?"

The imperial physicians were startled and hurriedly said, "This...this...we don't know either, we can only hope that His Majesty will be blessed with good fortune..."

These words were crystal clear. The Second Prince's heart skipped a beat. What did this mean?

It seems he can't delay any longer. He has to be fully prepared so that he can control everything should anything happen to his father!

The Second Prince narrowed his sharp eyes, glared fiercely at the imperial physicians, and said in a stern voice, "If you can't save my father, I will make you all pay with your lives!"

Having said that, he ignored the trembling imperial physician, flicked his sleeves, and walked out of the tent. Now, he had to discuss the best solution with his mother!

The Second Prince went to the Empress's tent and frowned when he saw Sima Yan there. Empress Feng also lowered her gaze slightly when she saw the Second Prince.

"Mother, how are you feeling?" The Second Prince stepped forward, walked to Empress Feng's side, and asked softly.

"I'm feeling much better, Yan'er. I have some things I'd like to tell you privately, my son. You..." Empress Feng twitched her lips, becoming less reserved.

In her eyes, Sima Yan was never someone who could cause any major trouble!

Sima Yan was not stupid. She stood up and curtsied, saying, "Then Yan'er will take her leave."

"No, no need!" Empress Feng suddenly called out to her. Just as Sima Yan was wondering, Empress Feng loudly ordered, "Someone, take the Crown Princess out and wait outside. I have something to say to her later."

Sima Yan was taken aback. Did you have something to say to her?

Why did the Empress seem a little strange to her at this moment?

Before she could react, two guards entered and stood beside her. "Please, Crown Princess..."

Sima Yan frowned, realizing that something was amiss, but she had no choice but to go out first.

After Sima Yan left the tent, Empress Feng asked anxiously, "How is the situation?"

"This doesn't seem good. Father Emperor is still not awake, and I'm afraid he won't wake up!"

"Outrageous!" Empress Feng shouted angrily, "How could you utter such lewd words? If anyone hears them, not only will you lose your throne, but you might even lose your life."

The second prince pursed his lips, thinking to himself, "This tent is full of our people, there are no outsiders here."

However, the second prince didn't pursue the matter too much. Thinking of something, he continued, "Mother, why don't we take advantage of this opportunity..."

The second prince stopped there, but Empress Feng understood his meaning: take this opportunity to replace the emperor!

But... Empress Feng narrowed her eyes, "Qinglan and Baiyi are not fools!"

"Mother, once I sit on the throne, what do I have to fear from those two? Mother, this is a rare opportunity. If we're too late, someone else might get there first. You said it yourself, Qinglan isn't stupid. He might have already made his move!" The Second Prince's eyes gleamed with increasing urgency. That throne was his; Qinglan was not even worth a second thought!

Empress Feng frowned and pondered for a long while before speaking, "You should return to the palace first and make arrangements as soon as possible. I will handle things here. Also, just in case, send a message to the old master and tell him that it is going to rain!"

The second prince was taken aback, then accepted the order and left. Empress Feng also stepped out of the tent, looking at the calm sky, like the calm before a storm.